"As a previous owner of the car, (I'm the idiot who stored the car for 40 years), I'm thrilled to see photographs of the car again in such wonderful condition. I noticed the photographs are dated 2013 and I am wondering do you — Tim Houlding — still own the car, is it in private hands and still on the road, or is it in a museum?"

"Photos of Chassis No. AX1663; Engine: LM1341 from Old Number 7 LeMans Winner"

"I bought this car from the former owner, Mr Robert Dixon of Dumfries, Scotland, in November 2006. I have just completed a seven year rebuild. The car was in essentially very original condition, having been stored for 40 years. Mr Dixon bought it shortly after it had been auctioned in London, at Coys, in 2003 in "barn-find" condition. The Vanden Plas coachwork is original and all the floorboards and dashboard are stamped with the correct VDP number 1360.

I have fitted Engine #LM1341, which is the engine from Chassis LM1344, "Old Number 7", heroic winner of the 1927 Le Mans 24 Hour Race. The crankcase, crankshaft and cylinder-block are all stamped with the RAC scutineering mark. This engine is the only surviving Works Le Mans-winning Vintage Bentley engine in the world as the engine from 4.5 #ST 3001 (Mother Gun) and Speed Six #LB 2332 (Old Number One) were broken up many years ago.

I have rebuilt the car configured much as "Old Number 7" appeared at Le Mans in 1927 painted in the exactly correct Parson's Napier Green paint, with charcoal grey interior. About 70% of the leather is original, with a wonderful patina.

The car drives beautifully, with wonderful steering and very good performance. The RAC stamped cylinder-block is different from the standard production blocks in having a higher compression combustion chamber as in the rare 100mph Supersports Model.

The rolling chassis is featured in James Taylor's book: "Bentley Four-Cylinder Models in Detail" on pages 46-47 and the unfinshed car was exhibited at the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall, London in May 2012."

RAC Pall Mall, May 2012

This car was purchased by Tim Houlding in 2006.

In Scotland in 2006 / Owned by a BDC member

"I have come across the instruction book for PF 9454 which my father owed, in which he researched and listed all previous owners.

"My father (Tom Morton) owned this car in the late 1950s-1960s then sold it to Mr Fitzsimons. The car is pictured at Mr Fitzsimons house at around 1960."

This e-mail was received from Dr. Tim Houlding on Dec 23, 2013

"Dear Friends at VintageBentleys.org,